Socialisation

Eating is social; try and find time to sit and have a drink with older people as they eat. This is a good opportunity to record eating patterns.

Eating can be encouraged by making it more of an event. Connecting food with childhood memories can be very powerful, as well as trying to create new experiences with food.

Adapt meal choices based on likes and dislikes, which you should record alongside eating patterns. It is important to adapt your method when you are struggling to get someone to eat (try new things!)

Dementia

The use of mirroring can really encourage eating for those with dementia. The use of graze boxes can also encourage eating for those with dementia.